Universal drafting and measuring instrument



July 8, 1947. W MQRR|5 2,423,786

UNIVERSAL DRAFTING AND MEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed July 25, 1944 l 2 Sheets-5h99?. l

III

- Inventar ,WWW

W. MORRIS July 8, 1947.,

,UNIVERSAL DRAFTING AND MEASUP-.ING INSTRUMENT I Filed July 25, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Patented July 8, V1947' UNIVERSAL DRAFTING ANDV MEASURING INSTRUMENT A William Morris, New Haven,` Conn. Application July 25, 1944, Serial No. 546,493'

6 Claims.

-provided with a vernier permitting precision adjustment to the desired angle. These two main parts of the combined instrument are so connected according to the invention that the pivot is arranged at the intersection of the two ruler blades while the protractor with its Vernier lprojects outwardly over the ruler to which it is pivotally secured. l

The ruler blade'which is fixed to the protractor may rbe provided with a slot, having one of its edges aligned with the center or fulcrum around which the protractor is rotated. This slot may form a slideway for an additional ruler blade by means of which lines parallel to those of the main or Vruler blade may be drawn.

The combined instrument may be used with or without a T-square and it permits to draw all lines and to make all measurements for which the 'use of several drafting instruments is required.

Further features of the invention and further advantages of the same will be apparent from the following detailed description of two modifications of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

kIn the drawings: lFigure-1 is a plan view of the combined in- -strument'showing the main parts thereof.

Figure 2 is a cross-section through the instrument along a transverse plane passing throughthe pivot and center of rotation of the protractor.

y Figures 3 and 4 are plan views of the parts `.supporting the Vernier and of the Vernier itself, I respectively, the latter ligure showing the means forxing the protractor in the desired position.

Figure 5 isa view of the combined protractor scale and ruler bladeintegral therewith.

Figure 6.is an 'end view of a modification -of the instrument in the direction .of the arrow 6 in Figure 2. .Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-section through the ruler attached to the protractor and through the additional ruler inserted in a longitudinal 5 slot of the same.

Y rounded. f

Figure 8 is an elevational sectional view of a. detail, the section being taken along line 8--8 of Figure 1. l

Referring to the drawings,v I0 designates the main ruler blade, one edge II of which is provided with the usual ,scale.having 32 or more divisions to the inch and which is made of plastic, wood, metal, or other suitable material.

The drafting instrument may be so arranged that it is usable as a T square and in this case the main ruler blade may form the stocky adapted to slide along the edge ofthe drafting board (Figure 8).

A member I3 comprising a protractor and a ruler blade I6 is rotatably mounted on said ruler blade, the axis of rotation 33 being located exactly. in line withthe edge II carrying the scale.

To support the pivotal connection, the main ruler blade I0 is provided. at this point with a semicircular projecting .hub portion 32 carrying a small cylindrical sleeve like upright 34.. The edge of the hub portion is carefully bevelled at its circumference, at 35, Figure 8, and presents an outwardly inclined support for the member I3 whose underside is provided with a similarly prepared inclined or .undercut surface which .fits over the inclined-hub portion 32. The underside of the ruler I6 thus lies flat on the surface of the drawing on which the main ruler I0 rests.

The pivotal connection between the two members I0 and I3 is obtained by means of the hollow rivet or nail bolt 34 whose head holds a spring member I8, preferably shaped as a segment Whose underside lies at on the surface of member I3. This member provides the necessary friction holding said member inits normal position and is compressed, if the member I3 is moved into one of the extreme positions.

The ends 33 of the undercut surface on ruler I6 and of the back portion 32 are preferably When the combined drafting instrument is to be 'usedvas a T-square the ruler blade I 0 may be used asthe stock or alignment ledge, adapted to slide on the edge of the drafting board while the projecting hub, around which the member I3 turns, projects forwardly and upwardly, as shown-at 32a in Figure 6 and in Figure 4 in dotted lines. The member I3 in this case moves in theV level of the upper surface of member I0.

As seen from Figure 2, the scale of the protractor I4 is arranged at a higher level than the pivot connection, astepped part I9 being inserted between that part which lies flush With 3 the main ruler blade IIJ and the scale of the protractor.

The main ruler blade I is provided with a stepped arm 20 projecting therefrom at a point opposite to but in alignment with the pivot connection. The stepped portion 2| is shaped in conformity with the stepped portion of the protractor scale, so that the surface of the protruding part 3b" 'of' armgzfi'se in co'ntactjwitlithev undersidel of tlieprotractor scale ineinberI M and the two members are holding each other against displacement. arm 2l] carries a Vernier generallyjindioatedbyy I5 which consists of a crescent shaped segment j 22 with a central recess or pocket V38Y of such aV This protruding portion 36 ofi f legs of an angle have to be drawn the inner edge of the main ruler blade I0 and the edge 28 of the slot in the rotatable ruler blade provide the necessary guiding parts. The identical scales on both parts may be used for the angle if necessary.

From the above description it will be seen that the combined Ainstrument reduces the number of drafting appliances which haveto be used and saves time' and labor while. dnaftingbyr eliminating all premeasurements which are frequently necessary where separate rulers, triangles, T-

sguaresfandiprotractors are used. Moreover, the

size that the protruding part 36'of'arm' 2li-will exactly lit into it. At the two/,ends of: the. ores1- cent shaped segment 22, two projecting4 wings 3l are arranged which are projecting upwardlyA and whose underside isr therefore above the level of thefsegm'ent 22; 'I-hey' therefore are able. to grip the. protractor scalemember Mfr andi to? slide at its upper surface.

"Theiprotruding portiorrA 36 ofi` arm 20 moreover carries a'is'crewispindlelZS and ainut 2/1lprovided with atrn'illed or knur'ledi. outer. surfaceV which serves topressrthevernier segment 2v2; against: the outer.edgeiof*thesprotractorfscale member I# and to-fixlthe member I3 inJitsfposit/ion at; the correct angler. f .Y

`It1is=p`referable that ther outer edge dll'of the protractor scale be.` bevelled or outwardly inclined while the corresponding surface of the; Vernier segmenty 2'2" whichfisfrapplied: against it' is undereut"`tof secure-a'.` rmf'set and'- to preventilifting loosening ot'th'e' segment. The-ruler. blade I6 .attached to the: protractor III` isxprnvideid 'witha scales; 215i` and J 26` and with aslot. 2,-Fionev edge '28 of. whichiis. ini. alignment with. the/center. of .the pivotal? ,connectionfgbe-f tween. lthet parts I 0f landA I 3v which formsfth'e' fulcrumedxraroundi which thek combinedl protractor andrruler blade turn. This-edgegservesas: a guide for-idrawing' lines passingthe center... The'l slot moreover serves? as a=s1idewayfo11 an' additionall ruleribl'ade 2-9iwhich1is provided with a sliding headrpiece- 30 entering.; the: slot and which-may bemoved' while: remaining at right angle with respect tozthe ruler blade I6-.V When-the:v protractor I6 -is positioned as shown. in' .thedrawings this ruler bladefserivesI to draw.; lines whichl are ',.parallel tolthose of the-'edges of7 thegmainruler blade: Y ,The slotais preferably provideda with: aninclinedside faoegSI on which. auf-,inclined face ofjthe; head-,piece SII/mayqrest. Y

rIlhey additional: ruler 2i)V may be providedwith graduations'l ori-,its upbe'A face Avas Well `ason those faceslocated in thelines of lsight ofl the draftsmarr e The graduations of those sides of the main rulerv blade Illv and ofthe. rulerblade; I-B which are facing each other arepreferably made `alike softhat they mayv be usediconjointly on lines which are-in angular relationV to. each ohen When using the; combined. instrument for drawing angles the` Inainrruler blade I Uyis' aligned withfione leg; of the anglewhileithe 'second ruler blade attached. ktoi the' protractor is turned: around. for "the required:V number of degrees; and is rmlyf adjusted' usingfthe' Vernier asia-preeinen adjusting means. The nut-24de then tightened" on; the spindle 23'lso L that'v the;- p'aiits can no vlonger move; When vlines corresponding t'oftheprecision especially when drawing angles is much higher than that obtained with existing drafting appliances' on account of the Vernier arrangement.:

notas: limitative as regards thefscope ofl the in.-

vention;

Having` describedthe'invention;l what is claimed as newi's:

1'. In a combined:draftingfinstnument. amain ruler biade forming- 'a base, a pivot carried thereby a member comprising an second ruler blade and ai protractor forming. a: unit;l arranged atopposite sidesof the pivot, rthesaid,protractor being arranged at a higher levelfthan the-l ruler blade; togwhich'- it is joined in aplaneY parallel thereto;l a stepped portion between` saidfpivot` and saidaprotractor, ann-arm extending frorrisaid4 first named' Ina-in` ruler rearwardlyfrom sa-idqy pivot beneath thefprotractor', afsteppedportion .onsaid extension arm andaflat portiom, parallel-to the ruler blades and: in ,contactY with the underside of Athe protractorandv means on` said ,extension jfor fixing the position of said protractork with respect; to; the-main. blade.

2; In. a combined drafting instrument,., aI main ruler-blade, for-ming a base, apivot carried thereby a; member mounted for rotation;Y onf said pivot, ,said menflberl fOr-ming' a unitfeomprisinsxa second ruler' bladef Aand= a profpfractor,` and arranged at opposite sides of said-pivot at substantially different levels, meansgforxng-the position ofthe ,protractor unitjn relativelyatoithe main .ruler blade- ,including-f., af, member, adapted to, be 'pressed againstthe outer edge offthe; pro- Vtractor7 ai 'screw'Y and amanually operatedf. nut,

pressing against. the 'aforesaid mernb'en,V means for supporting said screw and nut at a levelfabove the; level of. theblade's; comprising an, extension ofithe main ruler blade;A arranged.` behind` said pivot', includinga stepped.. portion. joiningltwo flatpor-tionsg;afstepp'edportion oni the protractor carryingVV memberbetween said. pivot and? said protractoiz. the steppedI portions: of, both*l memberssbeingi arranged to hold` theY upper surface of i said'flatp'ortion and: the undersidefofv said' priotractor in contact with each other, the'r'flatiportionof theQextensi'on armto'f: thefmaini'ru'lerrblade attnevupperilevelscrevwpressedmembenzprcwided 'witniai recess'ifori thetsaid flat portiere and: having an upper portion arranged in'.tl'iel'ev'elofy the protractor and adapted to be pressed against the latter.

3. In a combined drafting instrument, a main ruler blade forming a base, a member comprising a second ruler blade adapted to adopt various angular positions with respect to the main ruler blade, a means for pivotally connecting said two blades comprising a pivot member fixed on said main ruler blade provided with a head, a, circular projection projecting from said main ruler blade, said second ruler blade being provided with a recess adapted to accommodate and to iit said circular projection and a spring member inserted between said pivot head and said movable member for holding the latter in permanent contact with the former.

4. In a combined drafting instrument, a main ruler blade, forming a base, a pivot carried thereby and a member mounted for angular movement on said pivot, said member comprising a second ruler blade and a protractor forming a unit, and arranged at opposite sides of the pivot, the said protractor being arranged at a higher level than the ruler blade to which it is joined in a plane parallel thereto, a stepped portion between said pivot and said protractor, an arm extending from said main ruler rearwardly from said pivot beneath the protractor, a stepped portion on said extension and a at portion parallel to the main ruler blade and in contact with the underside of the protractor, a pivot head on the pivot carried by said main ruler blade, a circular projection projecting from said main ruler blade, said second ruler blade being provided with a decess adapted to accommodate said projection, a spring member inserted between said pivot head and said movable member for holding the latter in permanent contact with the former and means on said extension arm of the main ruler blade for fixing the position of said protractor with respect to the main ruler blade.

5. A combined drafting instrument as speciiied in claim 4, wherein the lower surface of the main ruler blade and the lower surface of the second ruler blade are arranged in the same plane when the latter occupies a position at right angle to the former.

6. In a, combined drafting instrument as specicied in claim 2 wherein the screw pressed member applied against said outer protractor edge consists of a luniform segment carrying a Vernier having upturned wings sliding on the surface of the protractor.

WILLIAM MORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 58,056 Bronson Sept. 18, 1866 227,844 Salot May 18, 1880 1,045,695 Goldwater Nov. 26, 1912 1,773,809 Elder Aug. 26, 1930 714,404 Schaller Nov. 25, 1902 

